DFW Disaster Info

THIS IS A DRILL Salvation Army Serves Lunch to Wildfire Victims

2011-10-18T11:45:00.005-05:00

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**THIS IS A DRILL**

At today's disaster drill, volunteers from DrPepper Snapple Group portrayed victims of a wildfire in the White Rock Lake area of Dallas. The Salvation Army served lunch to the "victims" at 11:30 a.m. just as it would during an actual disaster response.

The organization will be responsible for serving three meals a day at all local disaster shelters whenever a disaster occurs that requires mass care services.

**THIS IS A DRILL

THIS IS A DRILL Wildfire Affects 1,000 Home Area Near White Rock Lake

2011-10-18T09:38:00.011-05:00

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**THIS IS A DRILL**

An urban wildfire has affected a 1,000 home area within Dallas city limits (White Rock Lake area). The entire area has been evacuated. We are currently unsure of the number of the homes that have been burned or affected by the wildfire.

Approximately 25% of those evacuated are being sent to our shelter at the Knights of Columbus, located at 10110 Shoreview Road Dallas, TX 75238.

If you have pets: The Red Cross is currently working with their government liaison to find the safest way to accommodate them during this disaster.

Thank you for your patience. We'll provide more information as it comes.

**THIS IS A DRILL**

Mass Care Task Force to be Tested at Disaster Drill

2011-10-17T20:26:00.004-05:00

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Disasters are an unfortunate part of life, but must be responded to with the utmost professionalism and compassion. As a result, agencies such as the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, the North Texas Food Bank and the Volunteer Center of North Texas, all part of a collaborative initiative called the Mass Care Task Force (MCTF), must be prepared at a moment’s notice to respond to the unexpected.

While these organizations have trained and drilled together, for the first time, the group will be called upon to respond collectively in a full-day, unplanned surprise-attack exercise with actors playing disaster victims who need shelter and meals. The drill will be all day on Tuesday, October 18.

In the disaster scenario, wildfires sweep across the area, impacting thousands of homes and forcing neighborhood evacuations. Each agency must perform their area of expertise; from sheltering evacuees to setting up feeding operations, registering spontaneous volunteers or managing donations of material goods. This drill will best simulate what would happen in a real-life situation, and will reveal how the organizations would respond if an actual disaster were to happen in Dallas. In the past year, the four disaster relief agencies have increased their ability to respond collectively by 26%, making their readiness level at 42%.

Texans Speak About Hermine

2010-09-13T13:13:00.003-05:00

Hermine's victims talk about how the flood waters rose, and they thank the Red Cross for helping. Watch this two minute video to see what the Red Cross means to people when they lose everything in a disaster...

"F5": Part 2

2009-07-03T08:16:00.001-05:00

"F5" Part 1

2009-07-03T08:15:00.001-05:00

Be Ready for Severe Weather Now!

2009-04-11T16:23:00.001-05:00

Be prepared for severe weather now! Watch this video to learn how to MAKE A PLAN, BUILD A KIT and BE INFORMED.

Communities Foundation of Texas Grants $5 Million to Help North Texans Prepare for Disaster

2009-04-11T11:25:00.004-05:00

The American Red Cross, North Texas Food Bank, The Salvation Army and the Volunteer Center of North Texas salute the Communities Foundation of Texas for investing in the welfare of others!

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/010908dnmetdisasterplan.15c689c.html

Mass Care Task Force Created in North Texas

2009-04-11T10:42:00.006-05:00

Hurricane Katrina was an unspeakable disaster. More than 30,000 evacuees arrived in North Texas, all looking for immediate help with food, clothing and safe shelter.

The non-profit organizations in the Metroplex were taxed beyond their ability to respond. There weren't enough supplies, enough trained volunteers or a coordinated effort. In the months following Hurricane Katrina, four non-profit organizations joined forces and created the first-ever "Mass Care Task Force".

The chief executive officers from the American Red Cross, North Texas Food Bank, The Salvation Army and the Volunteer Center of North Texas formed this Task Force to ensure that when the next catastrophic disaster affects DFW, the organizations would be ready.

Together, the CEOs created an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) in 2006, outlining exactly what each organization will be responsible for the next time. The American Red Cross will be responsible for sheltering the masses. The Salvation Army will provide meals in Red Cross shelters. The North Texas Food Bank will send water and snacks to various locations and the Volunteer Center of North Texas will manage the in-take of volunteers who aren't pre-trained before the disaster strikes.

The next step in the success of the Mass Care Task force is funding. The four non-profit organizations anticipate a price tag of $26 million to be fully prepared to respond to something the size of a Katrina evacuation to North Texas, or a natural disaster in the local community. This includes a budget for cots, blankets, food items, technology resources and more.

In an unprecedented partnership, the CEOs from the four non-profits will go together and request funding from corporations, foundations and individuals.